Nishant Dev, India's boxing sensation, has etched his name in history by becoming the first Indian male pugilist to secure a quota for the 2024 Paris Olympics. The 71kg weight class boxer achieved this remarkable feat by reaching the semifinals of the Boxing Olympic qualifiers on Friday.
Dev's journey to the semifinals was marked by dominance and precision. In the quarterfinal, he faced Vasile Cebotari of Moldova, a fellow southpaw. Dev's sharp and accurate punches proved too much for Cebotari, as he secured a 5-0 victory. This triumph not only earned Dev a quota place but also marked India's fourth quota for the Paris Games.
Nikhat Zareen (50kg), Preet Pawar (54kg), and Lovlina Borgohain (75kg) had previously secured their Olympic berths. The 71kg weight class offered five quotas, and Dev's performance ensured India's presence in this category at the upcoming Games.
Throughout the tournament, Dev has showcased his exceptional skills and composure. His ability to land punches judiciously and maintain his focus has been instrumental in his success. In the second round against Cebotari, despite facing some resistance, Dev remained composed and continued to deliver accurate shots.
In the final three minutes, both boxers were visibly exhausted, but Dev's determination remained unwavering. He continued to land punches at will, forcing Cebotari to earn a point deduction for an illegal punch while Dev was down on the canvas.
While India's quest for a quota in the women's 60kg ended with Ankushita Boro's defeat against Agnes Alexiusson of Sweden, the performances of Arundhati Choudhary (66kg) and Amit Panghal (51kg) are eagerly anticipated later in the day.
Dev's achievement is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and the unwavering support of the Indian boxing fraternity. His quota place is a significant milestone for Indian boxing and sets the stage for a promising future at the Paris Olympics.
Tags: #Boxing, #OlympicQualifiers, #NishantDev, #Paris2024, #IndianBoxing
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